Method and circular knitwear or hosiery machine for making knitted fabrics incorporating parts similar to lace

ABSTRACT

A method for making knitted articles incorporating parts similar to lace in a knitted article. Using the method the parts similar to lace are made directly on a knitwear or hosiery machine so they are integral and united with the remaining parts of the article. The method includes knitting selectively a first elastic or stretch thread and at least a second non-elastic thread wherein the position of the second non-elastic thread is reversed with respect to the needles fed according to a program.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to the sector of circular machines for knitwear and hosiery and refers especially to the manufacture, using of said machines, and of knitted articles with parts similar to lace.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Knitted articles with decorative parts in lace are known. These are normally made by taking the knitted fabric after manufacture and applying one or more lace inserts, according to need. In other words, the knitted fabric and the lace are made separately on separate machines and then the lace is attached to the knitted fabric to achieve the desired manufactured article.

[0003] This is the case, for example, of certain underwear and similar articles, such as vests, body suits, pants, tops, etc.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0004] One aim of the invention is to present a knitting method for making knitted articles with parts similar to lace directly on circular knitwear and hosiery machines and with the implicit advantage of eliminating off-machine pickup and insert operations.

[0005] Another aim of the invention is to make knitted articles or garments incorporating one or more parts similar to lace that are integral and united with the knitted fabric.

[0006] Such aims are achieved, in accordance with the invention, using a method including feeding to the needles on the roller of a knitwear or hosiery machine a first elastic or stretch thread and at least a second non-elastic thread and working the thread selectively using the so-called needle-rejection procedure to make a jersey knit and a figured knit similar to lace as part of the jersey knit as shown in the drawing. The position of the elastic or stretch thread and the non-elastic thread may be selectively reversed with respect to the fed needles.

[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, a circular knitwear or hosiery machine is provided equipped and programmed to feed to the needles on the roller of the knitwear or hosiery machine a first elastic or stretch thread and at least a second non-elastic thread and to work the thread selectively using the needle-rejection procedure to make a jersey knit portion and a figured knit portion similar to lace as an integral part with the jersey knit.

[0008] The invention further provides a knitted product, such as underwear articles, lingerie, nightclothes, etc. by forming knitted parts similar to lace that are integral with other knitted parts. The knitted product is particularly and advantageously formed according to the method discussed above.

[0009] The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] In the drawings:

[0011] The only FIGURE is a perspective view of a knitted article according to the invention with a jersey knit and a figured knit similar to lace as part of the jersey knit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] Referring to the drawings in particular, the knitted article according to the invention includes a jersey knit and a figured knit similar to lace as part of the jersey knit. This is provided using a method including feeding to the needles on the roller, of a knitwear or hosiery machine, a first elastic or stretch thread and at least a second non-elastic thread and working the thread selectively using the needle-rejection procedure.

[0013] The parts in imitation lace can be made in relief with a needle feeding system. The non-elastic thread can be selectively worked in a position reversed with respect to the elastic or stretch thread. In the needle-rejection machining procedure, the non-elastic thread is normally used for the jersey knit and the elastic or stretch thread for making fabric parts similar to lace. Better still, instead of the stretch thread, a so-called parallel thread may be used.

[0014] The circular machine for making knitted fabric similar to lace and parts of products with knitted fabric parts similar to lace includes means of selection of needles that must take up one or the other or both the fed threads. Controlled thread guides are also provided to reverse the position of the elastic or stretch and non-elastic threads with respect to the fed needles.

[0015] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for making knitted articles incorporating parts similar to lace, the method comprising the steps of: making parts similar to lace directly on a circular knitwear or hosiery machine; uniting parts similar to lace made directly on a circular knitwear or hosiery machine with remaining parts of the article to provide an integral article.
 2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising feeding to the needles on the roller of a circular knitting machine a first elastic or stretch thread and at least a second non-elastic thread and selectively working said threads to make a jersey knit and a figured knit similar to lace as part of the jersey knit.
 3. A method according to claim 2, whereby the position of the elastic or stretch thread and the non-elastic thread is selectively reversed with respect to the fed needles.
 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said remaining parts are knitted parts made directly on a circular knitwear or hosiery machine.
 5. A circular knitwear or hosiery machine, comprising: one or more needle cylinders; and a means of selection of needles that must take up one or the other or both fed threads, said means of selection equipped and programmed to make parts similar to lace directly on the circular knitwear or hosiery machine, make remaining parts directly on the circular knitwear or hosiery machine and unit the parts similar to lace made directly on a circular knitwear or hosiery machine with the remaining parts of the article to provide an integral article.
 6. A knitted product, such as underwear articles, comprising: formed knitted parts similar to lace united with and integral with other knitted parts forming remaining parts of the knitted product.
 7. A knitted product according to claim 6, wherein the knitted parts similar to lace united with and integral with other knitted parts forming remaining parts of the knitted product are formed by the method comprising the steps of: making parts similar to lace directly on a circular knitwear or hosiery machine; uniting parts similar to lace made directly on a circular knitwear or hosiery machine with remaining parts of the article to provide an integral article.
 8. A knitted product according to claim 7, further comprising feeding to the needles on the roller of a circular knitting machine a first elastic or stretch thread and at least a second non-elastic thread and selectively working said threads to make a jersey knit and a figured knit similar to lace as part of the jersey knit.
 9. A knitted product according to claim 8, whereby the position of the elastic or stretch thread and the non-elastic thread is selectively reversed with respect to the fed needles.
 10. A method according to claim 6 wherein said remaining parts are knitted parts made directly on a circular knitwear or hosiery machine. 